By Bro. Amilcar D’Silva, SDB

Fatumaca, Timor-Leste, 8 September 2016 -- The confreres of the Salesian Vice-Province of Timor Leste-Indonesia give thanks to God for His gift of a vocation to 8 young men from Timor Leste who made their first profession and 15 others who began their novitiate year on September 8. The General Councillor for Formation Fr. Ivo Coelho SDB; accompanied by the Provincial of the ITM Vice-Province of St. Callistus Caravario, Fr. Apolinario Maria Neto SDB, received them into the Salesian Congregation in the name of the Rector Major.

The simple but well-prepared ceremony of the first profession took place at the Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians during the Eucharistic Celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of our Lady presided over by Fr. Apolinario Maria Neto SDB (the Provincial), along with the two main concelebrants, Fr. Ivo Coelho SDB and Fr. Lino SDB and concelebrated by several priests. A large number of parents, relatives, benefactors, religious men and women, aspirants, students of the Don Bosco Technical School and the young people of the Oratory all came to witness the event. Among the newly professed brothers there were 6 Clerics and 2 lay Brothers.

In the homily Fr. Ivo Coelho pointed out that a call to the religious life is a call of Jesus. God calls each one to serve and to be holy to those whom we are sent to. To the newly professed brothers, he emphasized that to be a good religious priest and a good religious brother in the charisma of Don Bosco, each one should constantly pray and reflect. Your experiences in the novitiate should continue in the years to come.

Before the end of the Mass, Salesian Cleric Vitalino, SDB on behalf of his companions expressed their deep sense of gratitude to all those who made the day of their First Profession possible. In a special way he thanked God for the graces they received, their parents and relatives, novice master, members of the Salesian community of Fatumaca, young people/students and all the salesians engaged in their formation. The Provincial also thanked those who, in one way or another, have been instrumental in the vocation and formation of the new Salesians: their parents, their formators, the Salesians of Fatumaca, especially the Rector and Novice Master Fr. Anacleto Pires SDB.

After the liturgical celebration, the refreshments were served in the dining hall; during which the newly professed brothers expressed to everyone the joy they felt for this day which will never be forgotten.

In the evening during the Vespers on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother, Fr. Anacleto Pires SDB, the Rector of Don Bosco Fatumaca and the Novice Master presided at the Rite of Admission to the Novitiate and officially welcomed 15 new novices to begin their formation. It’s fitting gifts for the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday, indeed!

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